Chromium, Nickel and Zinc Levels from Canned and Non-Canned Beverages in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals (Chromium, Nickel and Zinc) were determined from both canned and non-canned beverages sold in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Concentration of Chromium was found to range from 0.528 - 1.509mg/L for canned and 0.176 - 1.358mg/L for non-canned beverages, Nickel concentration was found to range from 0.156 - 0.802mg/L for canned and 0.125 - 0.896mg/L for non-canned beverages while Zinc concentration was also found to range between 27.652 to 35.447mg/L for canned and 26.649 to 42.447mg/L for the non-canned beverages. All the samples studied have Chromium and Zinc concentrations exceeding the maximum concentration limit (MCL) as set by USEPA while 100% of the canned beverages exceeded the (MCL) for Nickel only 93.33% of the non-canned exceeded the Nickel MCL. Levels of the metals analysed exceeded the legislative safe limits set by both United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).

Keywords: Chromium, Zinc, Nickel, Canned, Non-canned beverages.